Thursday 25 / April / 2024
Dharamsala: Fresh from the Asia Cup final shock against India, Bangladesh captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza was unassumingly mixing caution with confidence.
Speaking on the eve of Bangladesh’s opening Group A match against the Netherlands on Wednesday, Mortaza lamented the lack of time to acclimatise to the chilly conditions in Dharamsala, but said the Asia Cup performance should hold them well.
“We are coming from hot and humid conditions and this change in weather will surely affect us, but we are trying to cope up with it,” the captain said.
However, he did not agree with favourites tag given to Bangladesh in Group A.
“Yes we are improving well in this shorter format, but even though we reached the final of Asia Cup that doesn’t put us above all. The other teams (Oman, Ireland and Netherlands) are equally good and any day they can make the grade,” said the generous captain speaking in English first and then Bengali.
“Tomorrow’s match is in the day, but I am worried about the next two matches that will be played in the night,” he said.
Bangladesh play their last encounter against Oman.
“We are obviously playing well at this moment, out bowlers are the key and of course Mahmudullah and Shabir, who are in terrific form,” he said, adding: “We are worried about our spin department driven by veteran Sakib Al Hassan. Definitely Sakib has not been in good touch, but I think conditions here will suit him well.”
Musatfizur condition
The Bangladesh captain, however, did not give a clear picture on the recovery of his key bowler the left-arm pacers Musatfizur Rehman.
“Will he play or not, I think you will have to wait till tomorrow as we have not decided on the playing eleven yet,” said Mortaza. “But I want him to play and the physios are working on him.”
To recall Mustafizur did not play in the last two matches of the Asia Cup and he will be key for Bangladesh domination in this round.
Dutch get candid
Meanwhile, the Dutch captain Peter Borren was candid enough to say that Mortaza’s team will be the one who will make the cut.
Speaking at the pre-match conference, Borren touched upon issues that the smaller boys of cricket lacked and the decision of making World T20 every four years has also hurt him.
“We get a chance to play the big boys of cricket only during these tournaments and if this event is also made into every-four-year format, it will be harsh on us,” said Borren.
“We have worked hard. We did well in the qualifiers, and now we are playing again to make the big stage of World Cup. We can’t help it with the 10-team format,” said Borrern, seeking more exposure for smaller teams so that the game can expanded wider.
On the Dutch prospects, Borren said they will try the best but this format is a package of surprises.
“Anything can happen here. All teams are strong and as you have seen in the warm-up some days ago, when Oman beat Scotland. So keep fingers crossed,” said the captain of the Orange brigade.
“We have done our homework and rest is what we do on the field,” he signed off.
